The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
NEWLY promoted Castle Lager Premiership outfit, GreenFuel have put a staggering US$2 million so far in the renovations of their Sports Arena for it to meet minimum required standards to host top-flight league matches.
Such is the determination and seriousness that Boys DzeNharo, as they are fondly referred to by their growing fan base in the Lowveld, have shown in meeting Premiership standards that the team returned to its base on Tuesday from a week-long team building camp at Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
The Chisumbanje-based Premiership debutants, who earned the coveted promotion into the country’s top flagship football league, will use Gibbo stadium in Triangle for its first three league matches to pave way for the final touches that are being done at their GreenFuelSports Arena.
Club chairperson, Fredson Moyo told Post Sports that renovations at GreenFuel Sports Arena are now 80 percent complete and could have already completed had it not been because of therecent incessant rains received countrywide.
Moyo also said they have negotiated with Triangle FC for the use of Gibbo Stadium as final touches on their arena will be completed after the league kicks off on March 18.
“We are very serious about our intentions to have a professional approach to the game of football. This is the reason we are investing so much into the project.
“As we speak, we have used up to US$2 million in the renovations of the GreenFuel Sports Arena, which will eventually be our home ground. We were greatly disturbed by the rains but by March month end we should be done.
“In renovating the stadium, we demolished all structures that were there, the old toilets and changing rooms. At the end of November last year before the heavy rains that were recently received, we revamped the pitch, dug about 1,7 metres down the whole pitch area, imported top soil because the soil in Chisumbanje area is not ideal, so we took top soil from Middle Sabi.
“After that we started laying the drainage pipes. We are now above 80 percent in terms of refurbishment works that we intend to carry out. We are now finalising on dressing rooms and toilets, which are now at roof stage. The precast wall is almost done and we are left with about 100 metres only. Ideally, we spent so much on excavation works,” said Moyo.
The GreenFuel boss said the team building camp in Nyanga achieved its goals of uniting the players and the technical department.
“We are happy that the players and their coaches just returned from a team building camp in Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga. The initiative achieved its purpose as players are now much more familiar with each other as well as their coaches. It is important for them to work as a unit or family,” he said.
He confirmed that Boys DzeNharo will be using Gibbo Stadium for the first three home encounters.
“In the early stages of the season, the first three matches of the season to be precise, we will be using Gibbo Stadium in Triangle, which is the only other option we have.
“Initially we thought we could use Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, but when we heard that there are issues relating to the challenges with the turf we were automatically left with Gibbo as the only option,” he said.
Moyo is confident that his team will be able to stand the heat in the Premiership.
GreenFuel chairman Fredson Moyo
“It is every team’s wish to finish on top of the table but we have to be realistic. We want a top six finish and hope that we will gun for the top honours next season. That is what we feel can be realistic and achievable,” he said.
He said the long term plan for the club is to recruit players from local communities and give them a platform to showcase their talents at the highest stage of the game in the country.
“We are doing this for the community. We have people here who have never seen Dynamos in action and this is the reason we think this is their chance to enjoy the game together with all other parts of the nation that have been enjoying Premiership football.
“We have quite a number of sporting initiatives that we feel can empower the communities around us. The Billy Rautenbach Trophy is also meant to promote local talent and that is will soon act as a feeder project to GreenFuel FC.
“In fact, within the next three seasons, we are looking forward to have more than 10 percent, if not 100 percent, local content in terms of players that will be playing for our club. This is truly a community empowerment project through sport,” said Moyo.
